Murray Energy Buys Five Consol Mines

Transaction package amounts to $3.5 billion in cash and debt

October 29, 2013

Consol Energy Inc. announced Monday it is selling all five of its Consolidation Coal Co. longwall coal mines and other assets in West Virginia to Ohio-based Murray Energy for a total package worth nearly $3.5 billion.

The purchase will include the McElroy, Shoemaker, Blacksville, Loveridge and Robinson Run mining complexes in West Virginia, certain coal reserves, related river transportation and dock facilities and other assets. The mines produced a combined 28.5 million tons of coal last year.

Consol is keeping the Buchanan Mine in Virginia and the Pennsylvania operations, which include the Bailey, Enlow Fork and soon-to-be-completed BMX mines. Consol has been shifting its growth focus from coal to gas to comply with environmental regulation trends.

Article Photos

File PhotoIncluded in Monday’s sale of five Consol mines to Murray Energy Corp. are 609 barges used to transport coal.

Officials at the Pennsylvania-based Consol said the deal is good for long-term growth.

The purchase agreement calls for Murray to pay $850 million in cash and $184 million in value of future payments resulting from the retention of a royalty on select reserves, certain water treatment payments and tolling fees at Conosl's Baltimore Terminal.

Murray also will assume $2.4 billion of liabilities from Consol including Consol's United Mine Workers of America 1974 pension trust obligations.

Fact Box

AFFECTED CONSOL MINES

McElroy Mine

Location: Cameron, Marshall County

Opened: 1968

Method: Longwall and continuous mining machines

Employment: 984

2012 Production: 9.4 million tons

2013 Production to Date: 7.1 million tons

Shoemaker Mine

Location: Benwood, Marshall County

Opened: 1966

Method: Longwall and continuous mining machines

Employment: 742

2012 Production: 5.3 million tons

2013 Production to Date: 4.1 million tons

Blacksville No. 2 Mine

Location: Holbrook, Pa., straddling the Greene-Monongalia county line

Opened: 1970

Method: Longwall and continuous mining machines

Employment: 488

2012 Production: 3.2 million tons

2013 Production to Date: 2.1 million tons

Loveridge Mine

Location: Fairview, Marion County, W.Va.

Opened: 1956

Method: Longwall and continuous mining machines

Employment: 690

2012 Production: 5.8 million tons

2013 Production to Date: 4.1 million tons

Robinson Run Mine

Location: Mannington, Marion County

Opened: 1966

Method: Longwall and continuous mining machines

Employment: 583

2012 Production: 5 million tons

2013 Production to Date: 4.2 million tons

Robert E. Murray, chairman, president and CEO of Murray Energy, believes the acquisition is a reflection of his company's legacy in the coal industry.

"No company has developed a better legacy with its employees, with its customers, with the financial markets, with the regulatory agencies or with the public in general, over many decades, than has Consol and Consolidation Coal,"Murray said. "Murray Energy intends to preserve this well-earned legacy."

Murray Energy currently operates six underground longwall mining systems and 23 continuous mining units including the Century Mine and Powhatan No. 6 Mine in Belmont and Monroe counties. Consolidation Coal operates an equal number of each. Murray Energy builds virtually all of its own mining machinery, including the longwall systems.

"With our expertise, we will be able to efficiently operate the acquired Consolidation Coal mines and provide their employees with an opportunity for long-term employment," Robert D. Moore, executive vice president, chief operating officer, and chief financial officer of Murray Energy.

"Most especially, Murray Energy operates safe coal mines, with a particular emphasis on fire protection. This will help assure the protection of the health and safety of our new employees," Murray said. "The combined companies will allow Murray Energy to better serve our electric utility customers with reliable and low cost coal supplies, at accurate qualities. This is truly a momentous time for the combined employees of Murray Energy Corp. and for our company."

Prior to the transaction, Murray employed 3,300 workers; after the purchase of Consol, the company will employ 7,100 workers.

The annual coal production as of June 30 was 30.1 million tons and now stands to total 58.6 million tons.

Total coal reserves prior to the buyout were 859 million tons and are expected to top 1.1 billion tons

As for operations, Murray Energy raised its number of active coal mining operations from seven to 12; coal preparations plants from six to 12; longwall mining systems from six to 12; continuous mining units from 23 to 46; and added a reverse osmosis plant.

The company previously operated with three coal transloading facilities and now owns eight; increased its harbor and towboat fleet from three to 26; and acquired 609 barges.